Adding a New Attribute to an Object

The PowerDesigner metamodel specifies the attributes available by default for an object (for example, name and comment). To quickly extend the metamodel and add a new attribute from an object property sheet, click the menu button, and select New Attribute. The new attribute is immediately available on all objects of this type.

Note: The definition of the new attribute is stored in a PowerDesigner extension file. For detailed information about working with these files, see Customizing and Extending PowerDesigner > Extension Files.
  1. Open the property sheet of the object you want to extend, click the menu button, and select New Attribute to open the New Attribute dialog:

    new-attribute-dialog-1
  2. Enter a Name and Datatype for the new attribute and complete any other appropriate fields.
  3. [optional] Click Next to specify the property sheet tab on which you want the attribute to appear. If you choose to create a new property sheet tab, you must enter a tab label to display.

    new-attribute-dialog-2

    By default, the attribute is inserted on the tab from which you launched the New Attribute dialog, if the tab is editable.

  4. [optional] If you want to view the new attribute in the PowerDesigner Resource Editor, select the Open Resource Editor on Finish checkbox.
    For information about working with the Resource Editor, see Customizing and Extending PowerDesigner > PowerDesigner Resource Files
  5. Click Finish to close the dialog and create the new attribute.
    The attribute appears on the specified property sheet tab:
    new-attribute-dialog-result
Parent topic: Adding New Properties to an Object